St Kilian’s SNA Denise O’Brien will retire this week after 22 years
‘I’ve found it so rewarding and they’re just amazing human beings,’ says SNA Denise
DENISE O’Brien is set to retire this week after spending more than two decades working as a special needs assistant (SNA) in St Kilian’s Junior School in Kingswood.
Countless children have been taught by Ms O’Brien over the years, and while she has had a lasting impact on her pupils, they too have also made a lasting impact on her.
Speaking to The Echo on Monday afternoon, the Kilnamanagh woman reflected on her 22 years spent teaching in the school, and her unwavering passion for her job and the children.
“To be honest with you, it’s hard for me to retire because I’ll miss it terribly,” Ms O’Brien said, ahead of her final day in the school next Friday.
“I’ve always said that I’d do my job for nothing because I love it so much. The staff are so good, and the children, you get so much from them.
“The most fulfilling thing is seeing the children coming on and thriving, they really respond to everything that you put into them.
“I just feel that the children have given me a huge purpose in life, I’ve found it so rewarding and they’re just amazing little human beings to work with and I’m going to miss them terribly.”
Ms O’Brien also praised her colleagues, who compiled a booklet for her consisting of drawings of her and words of appreciation from her young students with input from staff.
“They’re the most amazing group of people, and they’ve been more than colleagues – they’re very, very good friends and I’ll be keeping in touch with them,” she said.
“And the parents have been great. They’ve been very helpful.”
Looking ahead to her retirement, Ms O’Brien said she’s planning to spend more time with her grandchildren Sadhbh, Fiadh and Cuan, and she hopes to travel more and volunteer.
“I’ll still see the children [I taught] when I’m out and about locally,” she added, “and I’ll still come over to visit them for things like their Communion and the Christmas show.”
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